How Christina Aguilera Switched Up Her Style and Won the Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet

No one makes an entrance quite like Christina Aguilera. The pop diva’s outlandish red carpet outfits have become the stuff of legend, and while she may have retired the leather chaps and barely there gowns that once made headlines, she still understands the power of fashion. Last night at the Billboard Music Awards, Aguilera arrived in a piece from London design duo 16 Arlington that reflected her latest evolution. With its pinstripes and tailoring, the off-the-shoulder wrap gown echoed the feel of a classic power suit, and according to stylist Karen Clarkson, that was kind of the point. “Tonight was about being back in business for Christina, so pinstripes felt like the natural choice,” says Clarkson, who collaborated with designers Marco Capaldo and Federica Cavenati on the creation. The vibe may have been professional, but it wouldn’t have been a Xtina look without a hint of extravagance—cue the mile-long coordinating train. “We still wanted some red carpet drama,” Clarkson says. “Adding a train felt right.”

High impact as it was, the look still represented a departure for Aguilera. On the heels of her much-discussed make-under, she and Clarkson, along with hairstylist Rob Talty and makeup artist Etienne Ortega, have embraced a style marked by its simplicity, favoring neutral tones, strong shapes, and directional labels like Balenciaga and Vetements. Later, when Aguilera switched into a glossy Gareth Pugh trench to perform “Fall in Line” with Demi Lovato, she kept the momentum going—and in Clarkson’s view, provided a perfect example of her new vibe. “Now it’s about a look that defines a certain status and strength. A clear vision for a woman who knows exactly what she wants to deliver,” Clarkson explains. “We love clothes that give a powerful silhouette—strong shoulders are becoming something of a thing.”

Given that Aguilera sports an equally impressive Pugh look for “Fall in Line”’s upcoming video, she appears to have settled into an entirely new groove, one that reflects her current persona. A mother, songwriter, actress, and, of course, diva, she has fine-tuned her tastes during her hiatus.“Christina has been living a more private existence for a while,” says Clarkson. “Coming back into the public eye naturally meant taking some consideration over finding a new look that feels right for her in this time.” With a new album and her first tour in 10 years on the horizon, it’s safe to say Xtina is back—and will have many more sleek fashion moments to come.